
Class J?£ilil_ 

Book ^^ 

Copight}^" 

COFyRIGHT DEPOSrK 



-7^ 



INCENSE 



INCENSE 



BY 

LEVI GILBERT 



^ 



CINCINNATI: JENNINGS AND GRAHAM 
NEW YORK: EATON AND MAINS 



Copyright, IQO4, by 
Jennings and Graham. 



w 



Two Coyies ({eceivyd 

OEC 30 i304 

vopyrigiii tntry 

USS CK, XXC. N05 

QOPY g.-^ 



T6 3ry3 . 



^ Whom I Love 

^ AND 

^ In Whose Love 

^ I Continually Rejoice 



THERE m-e three strains which will be 
found recurring in these poems — those 
of religion, patriotism, and human love. With 
the last are blended all the sanctities of mar- 
ried life and all the holy memories of those 
who have gone before us into Paradise. The 
altar, the flag, the hearthstone — however im- 
perfectly these may be sung — will ever re- 
main the strongest attachments of the human 
soul, evoking evermore the most ennobling and 
consecrating emotions. 



PAGB 

Incense, ii 

A Hymn to Christ, ----- ij 

Ascension, ....... j^ 

The Larger Christmas, . - - . i6 

Destiny, -------- 19 

Thirteen, - 20 

To A Certain School of Higher Critics, - 21 

Rabboni, 22 

"Draw Near with Faith," - - - - 23 

The Loving of Her Dear Heart, - - 28 

Fowler on Lincoln, 30 

A Memory of Civil War Heroes, - - 31 

An Invocation for a Religious Council, - 34 

Peter, 35 

Mother and Babe, 36 

Marguerite, 38 

Good Friday — The Seven Words, - - - 39 

*< A Doctor of the Old School," - - 42 

What the Shepherds Saw, - - - - 43 

Love and Death, ----- 46 

A Song of Cheer and Help, - - - - 47 

"Of Little Faith," - - - - - 50 

Youth, - - - - - - - - 51 

An Affectation of the Heart, - - 54 

Transformation, 56 

"Sweet Sixteen," 58 

Three Sonnets for Children's Day, - - 59 

A Prayer for Native Land, - - - 62 

9 



PAGE 

The Battle-Hymn of the Epworth League, 64 

The Nearness, ------ 66 

"Forever AND A Day," ----- 68 

The Bugle Call, . - - . - 70 

A Soldiers' Monument, 71 

Going into Action, 74 

Hymn for Memorial-Day, - - - - 76 

In Memoriam — T. G., 78 

Worlds are Rejoicing, 80 

Mizpah, 82 

Bishop William Xavier Ninde, - - - S$ 

The Coming Glory, 86 

Fulfillment, - - 90 

Patriots and Immortals, - - . - 92 

In Memoriam — Elizabeth Bonar Walden, - 93 

Fellowship Song, ----- 94 

The Plea of the Perishing, - . - 96 

What Cheer? - 97 

A Dead Hero, 102 

A Song at Parting, - - - - - 104 

Sunlight and Shadow, 106 

To A Friend on His Twenty-first Birthday 

Anniversary, 108 

Easter Children, - - - - - - m 

To A. L. M. — With the Gift of a Book, - 113 

Te Deum, 1898, - - - - - - 115 

The Final Chorus, 117 



Within the vast cathedral wall, 

Which echoes with the strains of song, 
I join in glad processional 

To praise the Holy One and Strong. 

No hierarch, no prelate high — 
Archbishop, suffragan, or priest — 

A simple, serving brother I, 
My offices among the least. 

No stole I wear with gold bedight, 
No cassock broidered rich with lace; 

I am a lowly acolyte, 

Contented with the humblest place. 

No litanies may I intone, 

No solemn masses for the dead; 

For me one task minute alone. 
To keep my bowl with odors fed. 

But slight my offering : some grain 
Of balsam, myrrh, or frankincense — 

Sure that my Lord will not disdain 
My modest gift of small pretense. 



Dim through the dusk the arches spring, 
The temple's dome above me bends; 

My censer to and fro I swing, 

Its scented wreath of smoke ascends. 

My inmost heart to organ-tone 

Vibrates in joy; and prayer and rite 

Conjoin with glorious antiphon 
In blessing me, an acolyte. 

The creeds and chants to heaven uproll, 

A reverent, noble liturgy; 
Though but an acolyte, my soul 

Responds with throbs of ecstasy ! 



12 



A %mtt t0 fliljrtfit 

O Jesus, born of woman, 

Anointed Christ and Lord, 
Thou seem'st Divine and human, 

The incarnate heavenly Word! 
O might Thy love and passion. 

Thy loftiness of soul. 
Our fairest ideals fashion, 

And guide them to their goal! 



Float ever on before us, 

Thou sweet and blessed Face; 
Shine ever lustrous o'er us, 

Thou Pole-star of our race ! 
Our glory's sign and token 

Of God, of Man, the Son, 
Thou ray of light unbroken. 

Thrice-holy, perfect One! 

In war with earth's temptation, 

Through childhood, youth and prime. 

Lead us, with grand elation, 
To victory sublime! 
13 



By all Thy tears and trials, 
By all things counted loss, 

Help us to self-denials, 
Help us to bear our cross! 

O youth! heroic, splendid, 

Young manhood, womanhood; 
By such a Form attended. 

Strive on to highest good! 
What is it that appalls you. 

What fears beset the way? 
Where fiercest fighting calls you, 

Our Captain heads the fray! 



14 



'* Above all rule and might, at His right 
hand, 
The Father made Him sit." 

Ah, what a space, 
What circles vast divide me from that 
place 
Beside the throne where Christ doth glorious 

stand ! 
Afar, afar ! O dim and distant land. 
Across immensities I seek His face 
Of majesty resplendent, blent with grace. 
Bestowing love to meet my heart's demand ! 

But what if near us, here and ever5r\vhere, 
The Father work and bless, inspire and 
guide. 
And His * ^ right hand ' ' be eminently there 
Where flows most turbulent the darkest 
tide 
Of human woe? What if the Presence fair 
Forever close to sin and want abide ? 



15 



O PEASANT girl of Nazareth, 

How many years have fled 
Since thou didst pillow on thy breast 

That innocent, sweet head ! 
But such dear love is holier now, 

And every mother sees 
The Christ-child in the child that lies 

Asleep upon her knees. 

O Baby Boy of Bethlehem, 

How long ago it seems 
Since Mary stooped and kissed the lips 

That smiling lay in dreams ! 
But from all cradles ever since, 

Have mellow glories shown ; 
All little brows are circled now 

With halos like thine own. 

O angels, singing in the skies 
Your rare and rapturous notes, 

Down what vast corridors of time 
Your blissful music floats ! 
i6 



But since ye broke that silence once 
Our heaven has come more near, 

And faith can catch the seraph's hymn, 
So jubilant and clear. 

O shepherds, watching on the plain, 

Or kneeling at the stall, 
How far away, how far away, 

Your folds and flocks and all ! 
But as of yore, to open minds 

Do God and nature speak ; 
The simple-hearted bow as then 

Before the Babe they seek. 

O wise men, bearing precious gifts, 

And coming from afar. 
How dim, how dim that distant age 

When first ye saw the star ! 
But those who follow wisdom's light, 

And star-like science greet. 

Bring all their truth and knowledge yet 

And lay them at His feet. 
2 17 



O pilgrim-shrine among the hills, 

How strange the stories sound 
That in thy mean and narrow walls 

The world's great hope was found ! 
But out from thee the radiance streamed 

And bathed the newer West, 
And here, in every village, dwells, 

Thy glorious Christmas guest. 

The star is gone— the angels gone- 
Such mai-vels can not last ; 

The shepherds and the magi move 
Like ghosts in that old past ! 

But Thou, O Christ, art more to us 
Than prodigy or sign ; 

We need no miracle but Thee 
And Thy great life divine ! 



i8 



An instant since that slight, imprisoned thread 
Was glowing with the mystic ether-fires ; 

A finger-touch and — darkness ! Cold and dead 
The slender filament — the flame expires ! 

And shall my life—? (O, wildly surging heart, 
Again, that ghastly fear, that sharpest grief; 

Again, O Christ, that sudden, poignant smart, 
Yet I believe — O help my unbelief ! ) 



19 



[Suggested by a Thirteenth Wedding Anniversary.] 

Deem not the number luckless, under blight, 
Branded and banned by superstitious fears ; 
It omens naught to me of grief or tears — 

Of direful fates, disasters large or slight, 

But, rather, joy and peace and pure delight. 
In heaven's glorious tables it appears — 
Auspicious reckoning of happiest years 

Since one glad day, most fortunate and bright. 

And hast thou, friend, one dearer than thy life 
Whose vow pronounced with truth devoid of 

art 

To love and cherish until death should part 

Still holds its troth — thy brave, devoted wife — 

Kneel thou to Him whose goodness floods 

thy heart 

With rapturous music midst the earthly strife. 



20 



®n a Ql^rtattt Btl^ttnl nf ^x^n CHrtttra 

The fruit is specked, you say ; besides you find 

Too rough and indigestible the rind — 

Too fibrous and inedible the core — 

Too hard and sour the seeds. And furthermore 

You pluck off blow and stem. But have a care, 

Lest, while you peck and gouge and slice and 

pare, 
With such raw zeal and ill-considered haste, 
No bit of luscious pulp be left to taste ! 



Sabbnm 

There 's many a deed of splendor 

Inscribed on glory's page; 
And many a name of greatness 

Of hero, saint, or sage ; 
But One outshines the whole, 

And the vision of my Master 
With rapture fills my soul. 

His hands are scarred with wound-prints* 

And pierced are His feet ; 
His tones are touching, tender, 

Like music, soft and sweet ; 
O, wonderful their power ! 

And the pleading of my Savior 
Will draw me evermore. 

His patience is unwearied. 

His pardon large and free ; 
His heart is like a mother's. 

His mercy like the sea. 
And marvelous His grace ! 

And I '11 find my bliss in heaven. 
In gazing on His face. 



I 

THE lord's table 

Invited to Thy feast, we take our place, 

O Christ, Thy friends— Thou at the table's 
head 3 
Thine eyes beam love, Thy words o'erflow 
with grace, 
And sweet from Thy dear hand the wine 
and bread; 
Grant us above to gather round Thy board 
And eat the marriage supper of our Lord ! 

II 

COMMUNION 

Our lives are lost and found again in Thine ; 
We share Thy thoughts, O Lamb of God; 
we know 
That all the branches of the one true Vine 
Have Thy life-giving currents flowing 
through ; 
O make us one in Thee as here we kneel 
Our common needs to own, our faults to feel! 
23 



Ill 

IN MEMORIAM 

"This in remembrance do;" yea, loveliest 
Friend, 
Thou art our fairest, freshest memory yet ! 
And though the years shall seem to have no 
end. 
One life and death the world can ne'er 
forget; 
One Name and Form will last though time 

erase 
All names but His, all features but His face ! 

IV 

THE GREAT HOPE 

*< Until He come!" So waits the weary 
earth 
The time it sees again His blessed face; 
The whole creation travails still in birth, 

And for its full redemption groans the 
race; 
Amen! So, Jesus, come and quickly come. 
To take these tired pilgrims to their home ! 
24 



THE SACRAMENT 

Their sacramentum ancient legions swore 

To Rome and Caesar; so, O Master, we 
Our vows of service now would take once 

more, 
Upon our knees, to God and truth and 

Thee; 
Aid us to keep our oaths; with sword and 

shield 
To fight faith's goodly fight, and never 

yield ! 

VI 

THE OBLATION 

By all the sweat and agony and cries, 
By all the sufferings without the gate, 

By all the pathos of that sacrifice. 

Help us, O God, all self and sin to hate; 

To live by trust, though with Him crucified, 

In Him who loved, and gave Himself, and 
died. 



25 



VII 

THE PERFECT EXAMPLE 

"Let him take up his cross, and follow Me!" 
Ahead Thou bearest, Holy One, that load, 

And heeding test and exhortation, we 

Disciples, burdened so, would choose Thy 
road; 

For others' good would we ourselves deny, 

And learn, like Thee, to toil and serve and die! 

VIII 

THE BODY AND BLOOD 

The body given, the blood for many shed 

Of Him who draweth all when lifted up ! 
O take and eat — (He died for thee) — this 
bread. 
And drink — (for thee His wounds) — this 
sacred cup! 
By faith feed on Him, in thy thankful heart. 
Until He of thy being make a part. 
26 



IX 

AT-ONE-MENT 

To be at one with God, to put an end 
To contradiction, mutiny, and strife; 

To know our wills and His in purpose blend — 
The prayer and passion, this, of all our 
life! 

So, by Thy death, the Father's love reveal 

That we, dear Savior, may His blessing feel. 

X 

THE EUCHARIST 

With joy we keep the feast; did we recall 
The scourge alone, the thorns, the nails, the 
pain, 
A gloom too heavy on our hearts would fall; 

But He that died is He that rose again ! 
Our peace is purchased by His death and 

shame. 
We laud and magnify His glorious name! 
27 



Her hair is thick and waving, 
And, bound or rippling down, 

A wealth of lustrous beauty- 
Its tresses warm and brown ; 

But the loving of her dear heart 
Is more than all to me — 

The loving of a true heart 
That loveth loyally! 



Her eyes are full and dreamy — 

Dark brows and lashes fine — 
And rich the light that slumbers 

Within their depths divine; 
But the loving of her dear heart 

Is more than all to me — 
The loving of a glad heart 

That loveth joyously ! 

Her cheeks are fresh and glowing, 
With tides of health aflush; 

A faylike dimple hideth 
Behind a rose-red blush; 
28 



But the loving of her dear heart 
Is more than all to me — 

The loving of a large heart 
That loveth mightily ! 

Her voice is sweetest music. 

Like bird-song soft and low ; 
Her forehead 's broad and queenly 

With radiant thought aglow ; 
But the loving of her dear heart 

Is more than all to me — 
The loving of a pure heart 

That loveth holily ! 



29 



I LISTENED, tranced, to eloquence that woke 
Within my soul's abyss emotions deep — 
Impressions memory will ever keep 

Beyond oblivion's power to revoke; 

What gleams of greatness on the vision broke, 
What dormant aspirations, roused from sleep. 
Were caught upon the flight of words and 
sweep 

Of thought and feeling while, inspired, he spoke. 

Aye, there he stood, our Lincoln, matchless, 
grand, 
Gigantic frame, imperial heart and brain. 
Controlling, guiding, firm beneath the strain, 

The providential savior of a land ! 

And then I prayed his godlike spirit might 
Direct our march like Israel's pillared light. 



30 



A il^ttuw^ 0f Oltml Mar ^trntB 

It all comes back — the mother's kiss and sigh, 
The swearing in, the drill, the last good-bye, 
The uniform, the arms, accouterments, 
The sentry's challenge, bugler's calls, the tents. 
The long, hard tramp, the skirmish, opening 

round. 
The hurrying troops, the field guns, quaking 

ground, 
The bayonets' gleam, the polished muskets' 

flash. 
The sweating horse, the thundering wheels, the 

crash 
Of cannon, shrieking grape^ the grime, the 

heat. 
The brandished swords, the shouts, th' attack, 

retreat. 
The whizzing bullets, bursting bombs, the 

smoke, 
The dense brigades, the orders, furious stroke. 
The flapping flag, the wounded dripping red. 
The falling, mangled, dying, and the dead, 
31 



The faces ghastly, arms tossed wide, the sob 
Of dirge, the wail of fife, the drum's deep 
throb! 

'T was this — 'twas this they suffered and en- 
dured 
That our sweet liberties might be secured ! 
Eternal honor, honor — yet again 
Immortal honor to these matchless men ! 
To those who fought to save our flag or died 
For us, our sons, and all the world beside, 
We own our debt of gratitude immense, 
We bid our children rise in reverence ! 



Dear land, one land, one people great and 

free, 
Illustrious now, but greater still to be ; 
I see thy eighty millions multiplied, 
I see thy sister States in bonds allied. 
With pride of power and growth, of sons and 

fame. 
But prouder still of their great Nation's name ! 
32 



I see the South come forth and celebrate 
A Union, bound for aye, inviolate : 
She bows in thanks to Him whose plans with- 
stood 
Her heat and passion to her untold good ; 
I see a land of bounteousness and peace, 
Where feuds and factions evermore shall cease, 
Where law shall hold all anarchy in foil. 
Where ample wages shall compensate toil. 
Where capital and labor clash no more. 
Where justice comes to all and plenty's store. 
Where education and religion bless 
A .crowning race with truth and righteousness ! 
I see mankind, inspired, in every clime 
By sight of our democracy sublime. 
Resistless rise to curb the tyrant's power. 
Proclaiming this the people's day and hour! 
Enfranchised masses break their bars of fate. 
Republics spread and kings on subjects wait ! 



33 



An Snunrattan for u S^ltgiaua 
fil0ttttrtt 

Spirit of Truth and Light, on Thee we call ! 

Inspire, inflame each heart, that we may feel 

The exaltation, quenchless love and zeal 
That moved apostles; hold our wills in thrall 
To Christ our Lord ; forbid that one shall fall 

From his high thought of right ! O set Thy 
seal 

On every purpose — let the Presence Real 
In us abide as once in John and Paul ! 

So shall the grace of God our Church attend. 
While we, in conference at our Master's feet, 
Await Thy touch, with prayer and strong 
desire ! 
So shall the Pentecostal Breath descend 
To fill the place wherein we daily meet, 
And on each head shall rest the sacred 
Fire! 



34 



** Though all forsake Thee, Lord, yet will 
not I!" 
And then the High Priest's court — the oath 

he took — 
*<I know Him not!" — the cock-crow, and 
that look 
Which Jesus gave ! And then that bitter cry 
Of deep remorse that he should e'er deny 
His dearest friend ! With anguished passion 

shook 
He flees in self-contempt that will not brook 
That shameful cowardice, that meanest lie. 

But Peter was not Judas; though his boast 
Might mock — though oft he failed at test, 
No traitor he, however weak his will : 
'«I love Thee, Lord — I love — and that Thou 
knowest !" — 
O hear, dear Christ, as sobbing we protest 
That spite of every lapse we love Thee 
still ! 



35 



Mixtion mti Bate 

How STILL, my babe, thou slumberest. 
Thy breath, how calm and mild ! 

So famtly fell on Mary's breast 
The breathing of a child. 

How close thy body, soft and warm, 

Lies folded in my arms! 
So nestled down that little form, 

Secure from all alarms. 

dream and smile! My kisses seek 
Thy dimples' witching grace; 

So kissed the Virgin that fair cheek 
That lay so near her face. 

1 look, while lashes droop and keep 

Thy wondrous eyes in shade; 
So brooded o'er an Infant's sleep, 
A Bethlehem mother-maid. 

Thy hair, in clusters thick and brown, 
Against my bosom 's pressed; 

And curls, not thorns, once made the crown 
That gentle hand caressed. 

36 



I heard thee lisp my name to-night, 
And glowed with ecstasy; 

So boyish prattle once made bright 
That home in Galilee. 

Like His, thine innocence appears, 

Who lived in Nazareth, 
And grew in favor all His years, 

The sweet evangel saith. 

I will not think of ill for thee. 

Or any pain or dread; 
She boded not of Calvary, 

Who watched a manger bed. 

Madonna fair, our swelling hearts 

With raptures overflow; 
'T is God such love as ours imparts 

That only mothers know. 



How MANY hopes went with thee, Marguerite, 
That April eve thy radiant spirit passed 
Beyond the Veil ! A sudden blight was cast 

On roseate dreams, anticipations sweet, 

And glowing projects, fondly deemed complete. 
Of father, lover, friend. Could they but 

last — 
Those morning visions fair ! We stand 
aghast. 

And vainly seeking light, protest, entreat. 

Ah, mystery, that one so free from stain — 
So young and gladsome as wast thou — should 

die! 
Yet faith makes answer to our bitter cry 
That, as thy bow struck some exultant strain. 
The Great Musician, in sublime refrain. 

Wakes all thy being's chords to rapture high. 



38 



Slr^ »tnm Wavhs 

* « FATHER, FORGIVE THEM ! ' ' 

They know not what they do — those soldiers 
rude; 
Those narrow, cursing scribes; that priest- 
hood proud; 
That coarse and jeering Jewish multitude; 

The Roman governor, perplexed and cowed; 
O pray, dear Christ, for us, so sinful, blind; 
And prompt our prayers that foes may pardon 
find. 

''TO-DAY WITH ME." 

For that rough robber, haunted by regret, 

What joy to Thee to give the ransom price ! 
For him, who knew he could not pay his 
debt, 
What words of cheer and hope, — "In Par- 
adise!" 
How many souls have found, though turning 

late, 
Thy willing hand unlatching mercy's gate! 
39 



**THY SON THY MOTHER." 

On groups of friends and Mary's dearest face, 

In direst grief, Thine eyes deep pity cast; 
With care for each, though dying for the race, 

Absorbed in blessing others to the last! 
Though scorned and slain — how sweet to think 

of this: — 
That Thou hast known a mother's arms and 
kiss. 

** FORSAKEN." 

**Be strong" — thus whispered Faith, *'the 
Father's near!" — 
And then that sudden, sharp, and bitter cry! 
But in the shadow, closer for Thy fear. 

Stood He, nor left His Son alone to die; 
Help Thou our souls, dismayed by doubt or 

fright. 
Like Thee to trust in darkness as in light. 

**I THIRST." 

In all points tempted, but without a stain, 
The Son of Man, divine yet human still, 

In thirst and hunger, weariness and pain. 
Like us enduring God's mysterious will; 
40 



O Brother, our flesh sharing then and now, 
What matchless grandeur lights Thy glorious 
brow! 

**IT IS FINISHED.'* 

The body's pang, the heartache, wearied life, 
The work Thy Father gavest Thee to do. 

The burdened years, the mockery, the strife. 
The atonement of mankind, all finished now ! 

What rest and peace and triumph ! So may we. 

Our tasks on earth well done, repose in Thee! 

''INTO THY hands!" 

No leap into the dark, no gathering night; 

Beyond the flood clear vision of a shore; 
And all the gloom dispelled in God's great 
light. 

There breaks the bliss of life for evermore. 
O teach our dying lips Thy prayer most fit: 
''Into Thy hands my spirit I commit!" 



41 



Doubtful there knocks at th' gate of Paradise 
A white-haired man. No Churchman he; if 

need 
Of password — priestly countersign of creed 

Or dogma — ^lip-confession — then there dies 

All hope of entrance from those dreamful eyes 
Where one might love and helpful pity read: 
Faith shone through works — his life one 
mercy-deed — 

But hesitant he stands in vague surmise . . . 

Then, of a sudden, wide the portals fly. 

And those his ministries had cured and 
blessed 
Enclasp his hand and ''Welcome! Welcome!" 

cry, 
While He who once did heal in Galilee 

Gives glorious greeting: ''Enter into rest! 
For I was sick and thou didst visit Me. ' ' 



42 



^ 



The stars are bright in Syrian skies, 

And all the plain in stillness lies, 

But for the bleatings of the sheep 

That mark where groups of shepherds sleep, 

In dreams, perchance, of Rachel, Ruth, 

Of Caleb's prowess, David's youth, 

And all the names of high renown 

That shed their fame on Bethlehem town. 

While others, watching in their turns, 

Are gazing where a lantern bums 

Far up the hill, before a cave 

That gives no trace of dwelling save 

An artisan, who hears alone 

A baby's cry, a mother's moan. 

O shepherds, hastening down the slope 
To spread your tale of joyous hope. 
And hurrying toward the temple space 
To tell the priests of God's dear grace. 
What was it that ye saw of worth 
In that poor cavern of the earth ? 
43 



What matchless vision on you broke, 
What heavenly glory there awoke, 
What beams around the infant head, 
What cattle kneeling at His bed, 
What aureole that masters paint 
About Madonna, sweetest saint? 

"A baby lying in a stall, 

A peasant mother — that is all. ' * 

And reads the Apocrypha aright ? 
The cave all filled with wondrous light ; 
The speaking Babe, so plainly heard: — 
'a am the Son of God, the Word ;" 
The boasting mother, ** None like Thee, 
No woman in the world like me. ' ' 
The clouds amazed, birds flying not ; 
The heavens tranced in one fixed spot; 
The drinking flocks, the men at meat, 
The workman's hand, the hurrying feet, 
All motionless, in magic spell — 
Such marvels saw ye, such can tell ? 
44 



**A baby lying in a stall ; 

A peasant mother — that is all. 

'^ Yet clear we heard the angels' word, 

'A Savior who is Christ the Lord;' 

We can not doubt, though all deride, 

We worshiped at the manger's side." 

O shepherds, we will ask no sign 

For motherhood itself divine ! 

All heaven is in the Child's pure face 

That needs no halo but its grace, 

And he is most the Son of God, 

Who Son of Man most plainly showed ! 

For you earth's holiest mystery, 

For us, for all, while time shall be — 

A baby lying in a stall, 

A peasant mother, — that is all ! 



45 



Love smiles at Death. He knows that glad, 

beatic years 
Of Immortality in some high heaven are theii-s 
Whose conjoined souls one holy, incandescent 

fire 
Mixes in sacred flames that nevermore expire. 



46 



.ii!^ 



Happy, trustful Christians, 

Raise your voices high, 
Hearts and minds o'erflowing, 

Light in every eye ! 
Why should there oppress us 

Thoughts of gloom and fear, 
When we have His presence, 

Who will sooth and cheer? 

Steps triumphant, buoyant. 

Wills determined, brave, 
Faces radiant, blissful. 

Hands held out to save ! 
Pulses beating ([uickly. 

Spirits warm with love, 
Foreheads bathed with glories 

Streaming from above ! 

Pain and want surround us — 
Peace and comfort give ; 

Men and women dying 

By our help shall live ! 
47 



Let our words of kindness 
Bid the weak be strong, 

Sweeten bitter waters, 

Flood the world with song ! 

See mankind, in anguish, 

Stretch appealing hands — 
Let us wake responsive 

To the day's demands ! 
What are rites and doctrines. 

What are prayers and creeds, 
If we have no pity 

For our brother's needs? 

"Come, ye blest," shall Jesus 

To the righteous say ; 
** Thirsty was I and ye 

Gave Me drink, one day ; 
Naked and ye clothed Me; 

Hungry, and ye fed; 
Sick — in prison pining — 

And ye visited ! ' ' 
48 



Everywhere is sorrow, 

Everywhere is care ; 
Weary, heavy-laden 

Souls are everywhere. 
O, to lift the hopeless 

From despair and doubt, 
Let our joy and courage 

Brighten all about! 

So shall Christ be honored, 

So the true Church known, 
So the skeptic answered. 

So our faith be shown ! 
Men who scoff the Savior, 

When they see our love, 
Will believe Him loving, 

And His mercies prove. 



49 



m ilmU 3PatliF 



Glibly we boast of trusting Thee, O Lord, 
The while with cares our brows are etched and 
scored. 

We quote the Shepherd -psalm and Christ's 

sweet words 
About the lilies and the heaven -fed birds. 

And yet — and yet, in spite of creed and text. 
With fear and fret our anxious hearts are 
vexed. 

Skeptic and atheist denounce we well, 
Yet prove ourselves none the less infidel ! 



50 



** Youth ! youth ! how buoyant are thy hopes ! they turn 
Like marigolds toward the siuiny side." — Jean Ingelow. 

O YOUTH so' earnest, chivalrous, and true, 
Our prayers are rising all the time for you ! 
The spring -tide of our being — what desires, 
What splendid purposes, what passion-fires, 
What inspiration, outlook, trust, and hope. 
What grand belief, what horizon and scope. 
What secrets that the future shall unseal. 
What glow and heat, what faith, what high 
ideal ! 

How beautiful the world, how sweet is life, 
How stirring and attractive all its strife — 
How, like a trumpet -blast, the soul within 
Rings out the call to struggle and to win ! 
To make a name the world shall recognize, 
To venture nobly in some large emprise. 
Invent, discover, write or plead or teach. 
Preside o'er justice, legislate or preach — 
To take up life with all the mind and heart 
In senate, bench, and bar, and business mart! 
51 



Who fears not lest the dreaded tempter's 

power 
May overthrow him in some heedless hour, 
Seeing the lad who leaves his mother's side 
And steps into the world till then untried ? 
O let us hope he comes with habits pure, 
Sound mind and body, conscience trained and 

sure. 
With purpose resolute, both brave and bright, 
Clear-headed, modest, champion of the right ; 
Not sucked within the maelstrom's whirling 

wave, 
But held by Him whose hand is strong to 

save ! 

And let us pray, despite the withering chill 
Of selfishness and sin, foreboding ill, 
That he may lift his face to greet the sight 
Of morning sunbursts bathing brow with light ! 
Despite the common ideals of the street. 
The lust of mammon, print of Satan's feet, 
52 



Paralysis of trust that doubt inspires, 
Conceptions poor of all that heaven requires, 
That he may still maintain his manhood whole 
In strength and sweetness, and possess his soul ; 
Through current disbelief in good and right. 
Base competitions, tricks of trade and might 
Of fraud, untruthfulness, suspicion, greed. 
The worldly world's unholy, vulgar creed, 
That he may keep his faith in God unspoiled, 
Keep honor bright and character unsoiled ! 



53 



An Afttttntmn nf % If^art 

I 'VE got the funniest heart, dear — 
I hope there 's no loose screw — 

But it always gives a little leap 
Whene'er I think of you. 



By day or night, at home, abroad — 
With many around or few — 

Each time the same — that little leap 
Whene'er I think of you. 

You may be near, you may be far — 
With that it 's naught to do — 

Nothing prevents that little leap 
Whene'er I think of you. 

'Twill happen any hour, dear — 
A sweet sensation, too — 

That throb within — that little leap 
Whene'er I think of you. 

54 



Perhaps it is a doctor's case — 
But I 'd hate to find it true — 

For I smile to feel that little leap 
Whene'er I think of you. 

The ailment 's hopeless I 'm convinced, 

No use to sigh or rue — 
Sweet pain, for aye — that little leap, 

Whene'er I think of you! 



55 



Srattafnrmatuin 

Bows THE Virgin, sad and worn, 

Still she hears His dying cries ; 
Her dear Son, so pierced and torn, 

Crucified before her eyes ; 
Loving John, who leaned his head 

On the heart that rived in twain, 
As a son in Jesus' stead, 

Seeks to ease her bitter pain. 

In the shades of morning gloom 

Mary Magdalene weeps. 
Moaning low before the tomb 

"Where her blessed Master sleeps. 
Peter, with his guilt oppressed. 

Crying loud on Him who died, 
Wanders lone, and beats His breast, 

Thinking of His Lord denied. 

Ah ! that Easter, bright and clear. 
When the stone was rolled away, 

When the angel said : ' ' Not here ! 

Risen, indeed ! look, where He lay ! ' 

56 



Sings for joy the mother-heart, 

** Master!" cries the Magdalene, 

John and Peter swift depart — 

Naught but grave-clothes now are 
seen ! 

O ye weary ones and sore, 

Dropping hot and frequent tears 
For the dear ones here no more. 

Lift your eyes and calm your fears ! 
Lo, your dead in holiest light, 

Far beyond life's transient woes. 
Stand immortal in His sight, 

Risen because their Savior rose ! 



57 



[Written to Commemorate a Sixteenth Wedding Anniversary] 

Yes, sweet indeed the music of those years, 
From birth-cry to the verge of womanhood ; 

But sweeter far, Beloved, to our ears 

That symphony whose rich, vohiptuous flood 



From life's great organ -pipes exultant rolls 
Through all our days, since, with enclasped 
hands 
And meeting lips, we joined our destined souls 
With links flame -forged and anvil -beaten 
bands. 



58 



JTor (Effil2irrn'a Sag 



In dreams alone we live our youth again 

When life was summer-like and wondrous 

fair; 
We run once more with dusty feet and bare, 

We hunt the mottled eggs of thrush and wren, 

Or gather nuts adown the bosky glen. 

And then we wake to feel the weight of care, 
The stress of duty and the need of prayer, 

And half we sigh to know that we are men. 



So fruitlessly we yearn for days of yore. 

When shepherds watched on Babylonian 
plain, 
And earth was young and innocent of lore, 
Ere men sought knowledge out and added 
pain ; 
Ah ! what can now that calm and peace re- 
store 
For which we seek in marts and schools in 
vain? 

59 



II 

How sweet, O Christ, in revery appears 
The fancy of Thy dimpled, cradled face, 
Thy winsome babyhood and childish grace, 

And joyousness of life unstained by tears, 

Unshadowed by the cross, mivexed by fears ; 
I catch the lightsome laughter of Thy plays, 
I picture all Thy artless, boylike ways. 

Before the burden of Thy troubled years. 

Asleep Thou oft has lain on Mary's breast, 
Beneath the benediction of her kiss. 

"Come unto Me!" Thou pleadest. "Come 
and rest. 
Ye heavy-laden, weary, comfortless; 

For I will ease your aching hearts oppressed. 
And soothe, with mother-love, to quietness. * ' 

III 

I read, dear Master, in the blessed Book, 
How round Thee stood the frowning Phari- 
sees, 
In masquerade of poor hypocrisies ; 
60 



Not one of them the prattling children took ! 

I heed Thy strain of loving, stem rebuke : 
" O, not for you, ensnared in sophistries, 
The Kingdom is, but little ones like these 

Shall on the beatific vision look. ' ' 

Again I seem Thy sad refrain to hear, 

Through all our wordy and polemic strife, 

Our creeds, philosophies, and systems sere. 
Our hard theologies, with rancor rife — 

Abov.e them all Thy warning rises clear : — 
** Except ye turn and lead the childlike 
life!" 



6i 



A JPntger for Nattw Slaitft 

God of our Land and State, 
To Thee we consecrate 

Our manhood's might ! 
Help us like those to be — 
Our fathers, brave and free. 
Who made our history — 

Firm for the right ! 

Fill us with patriot zeal. 
To raise a grand ideal 

In Freedom's cause ! 
Make greed and cunning less, 
Inspire imselfishness, 
Let brotherhood express 

Its love in laws ! 

Create a purpose strong 
To righten every wrong 

From shore to shore ! 
To stand by public trust, 
By conscience clear and just, 
By scorn of sordid lust 

For spoils and power ! 
62 



Bless Church, and Press, and School, 
In all our rulers rule, 

Feed our fair fame ! 
Heal every social sore 
Blend hearts of rich and poor. 
Uplift us to adore 

And fear Thy name ! 



63 



01j^ Sattb-i|gm« 0f % iEpiu0rtl} 

Mine eyes have seen the glory of another Pen- 
tecost, 

Mine ears have heard the gath'ring of a dedi- 
cated host, 

My soul has felt the presence of the promised 
Holy Ghost,— 

Our God is marching on. 

There 's a fire of consecration that is burning 

in our youth, 
They are vowing hearty service to the Master 

and His truth, 
Their faith is pure and ardent and their works 

a Gospel proof, — 

Our youth are marching on ! 

There 's a fervor of revival flaming bright in 

many hearts. 
There 's a glow of gen'rous loyalty that in their 

purpose starts, 

64 



There 's the spirit of the Wesleys and a zeal 
that Christ imparts, — 

Our Church is marching on. 

They unfurl the Epworth banner, and behold ! 
the thousands rise ! 

They are looking up in prayer to Him en- 
throned beyond the skies, 

They are lifting up their brother from the ruin 
where he lies, — 

Our League is marching on. 



«5 



I KNOW, since that dear speech, the sands 

Of centuries have run, 
And earth for near two thousand times 

Has circled round the sun; 
But yester morning, when I feared, 

Distinct to me He said: — 
"Let not your heart be troubled more. 

Nor let it be afraid. ' ' 



I know how different the folk 

Who listened then might seem — 
How singular their ways and dress 

Our modem world would deem; 
But though of other mien and garb 

And not of Jewish race. 
Last night to me He came and spoke ; 

**I leave you peace — My peace." 



I know the land is far away. 
And many a sea-league parts, 

Where first the gracious accents fell 
On sorrowing, anxious hearts; 
66 



But, as I wept to-day in grief, 
Right here I caught so plain: — 

**I will not leave you comfortless, 
I '11 surely come again." 

I know how old the language is 
In which the Master taught — - 
How strange to me its syllables, 

Conveying meaning naught; 
But just now in my weariness, 
' In mother-tongue expressed, 
I heard: ''Come, all ye laden ones, 
And I will give you rest." 

I know how glad the people were 

Beside Lake Galilee; 
But the sweet words that solaced them 

Have calm and cheer for me; 
And this, too, is a holy land. 

And Jesus walks our streets; 
He enters every humble home 

And blesses all He meets. 



67 



**^xtttmt anh a lag** 

My idling mind, one vacant hour, 
With all its wits at play. 

Kept saying softly o'er and o'er — 
' ' Forever and a day ! ' ' 



The words chimed in — I know not why- 
With all my heart would say ! 

They fell from out the clear, blue sky — 
"Forever and a day!" 

Detatched and fragmentary phrase, 

In such mysterious way 
It followed meditation's maze — 

* ' Forever and a day ! * * 

No rounded meaning all the while 
Was in the words — but pray 

Why did I listen and then smile — 
* * Forever and a day ! " 
68 



With thoughts of you they intertwined— 
Where else would revery stray? 

My dreams of you had brought in mind 
"Forever and a day!" 

Fancies may come and fancies go, 

But love has come to stay! 
*' Forever" — dearest, well we know — 

"Forever and a day!" 



69 



SII|^ Imjb (Sail 

Loud aiid sharp, O Christian soldiers, 
Peals the trumpet of the Lord ! 

Leaping into line of battle, 

Wield the Spirit's flaming sword. 

Fierce the conflict, but your mettle 
Is the sort true manhood boasts ; 

Soon or late, at last shall Satan 
Flee before your cheering hosts ! 

Who 're afraid and who are fearful — 
Let them turn now and depart ; 

Gideon kept three hundred only, 
But each man a valiant heart ! 

Saints on earth and saints in glory — 
Clouds of witnesses aroimd — 

Men and angels — all are praying 

Lest you halt and yield your ground ! 

More is Christ than all against you — 
Form your columns firm and close ; 

Pressing on o'er pit and rampart. 
You shall vanquish all your foes ! 
70 



A BalhmB* Mtixwanmt 

O COLUMN, rising here amidst our streets. 
Where hot and fierce the pulse of business beats, 
With tramp of men and horses, rattling tires, 
And rumbling car-wheels driven by lightning- 
fires — 
Speak out, O pillared bronze, lest we forget 
With all our toil — the daily fume and fret — 
That life is more than meat ; that earth affords 
Some things above our paltry gains and hoards, 
Our worldly hopes and lusts, ignoble strife, 
Our rivalries intense, with rancor rife ! 
Teach us to heed our duty's solemn call. 
To give up home and dear ones — profits — ^all, 
Meet death itself for high conviction's sake, 
Serene as martyr's at the glowing stake ! 

O youth, firom country lanes and city streets, 
Stand still and hear what speech this shaft re- 
peats ! 
It bids each man be vigilant, be pure ; 
It calls to all, in times of fear, * ' Endure ! ' ' 
Exhorting each to patriotic mind. 
To leave all thoughts of self and ease behind. 
71 



When I reflect that wide humanity 

Owes all we have to those who kept us free, 

What eulogy or epic, spoke or writ. 

What praise or honors for their deed seems fit? 

While swings the earth let generations spell 

Their names to emulate and love them well ! 

For all the ships, O Goddess, lift thy flame, 
And welcome every land in freedom's name; 
No more a semblance — a fictitious creed; 
No more a lie — thank God, we ' re free indeed ! 
To all a welcome, but lift up thy voice. 
Instructing all who make this land their choice 
That liberty 's not license — laws must stand — 
Must be obeyed or min wrecks the land ! 

Fair city, great thy wealth, thy trade, thy art. 
Thy homes and streets, thy factories, thy mart ; 
I hear the panting engine's shriek and roar, 
I see the vessels laden deep with ore, 
I see the chimney's smoke — the foundries' 

glare — 
I see the expanding vapor fill the air — 
But grander than all other song or boast, 
This proud memorial exalts you most ! 
72 



Loom on, O Column, while the stars shall 

shine ! 
Wave on, O Banner, centuries are thine ! 
Move on, O City, to thy future vast ! 
Live on, O Country, while the world shall last ! 



73 



(^vim^ 3nt0 Arti0tt 

Forward, Christ's battalions, 

Quit yourselves like men ; 
Wielding Gospel weapons, 

Force the fight again ; 
Yours are strength and daring, 

Confident and free, 
Rouse to splendid action, 

Fervid loyalty ! 



Mighty re-enforcements 

Thrill the Church with cheer ; 
Freshly press the vet'rans, 

Not a sign of fear; 
Thinned by age and death-stroke, 

Ranks fill up with youth; 
Sons in fathers' places, 

Stand defending truth! 

Trusting in your prowess. 

Home and nation rest; 
Future ages signal 

Each to do his best. 
74 



Hasten earth's redemption. 
Bring the perfect law, 

Speed millennial glories — 
Visions prophets saw ! 

Rout and panic seize them, 

All the hosts of wrong; 
Soon for you the conquest. 

Soon the victors' song; 
What are toils and dangers, 

Marches, wounds, or pain? 
Christ is near His triumph; 

You with Him shall reign! 



75 



Tears and flowers from States defended 

By a host of comrades true, 
Drop for those whose march is ended, 

Marshaled for the Grand Review. 



Praise we their august behavior — 
Peans for their deeds sublime ! 

Lord of Hosts, our country's Savior, 
Crown them on the heights of time. 

May the gratitude unmeasured 
Of the land they fought to save, 

Hearts' affection deeply treasured. 
Show our rev'rence for the brave. 

Fill us with their patriot spirit. 

Lofty love of liberty; 
Courage let their sons inherit, 

Heroes for the truth and Thee ! 
76 



Make their valor our incentive, 
Lifting us from meaner strife, 

Proving evil's best preventive. 
Beating in the public life! 

Shining armies file before us, 
Victors now beyond the veil. 

Waving Freedom's banner o'er us. 
Cheering lest we faint or fail ! 



77 



-^ 



3ltt ilj^mnmm 

SI. 01. 

His last words: " I am going to the Better Land!" 

And shall that faith of thine, so calm and grand, 
Be frustrate — mocked with emptiness and 
blight? 

Instead of better, worse? Instead of land, 
Th' abyss of dread oblivion and night ? 

Shall souls that yearn, that crave eternal life, 
That feel within the stir of instincts high — 

Deep answering deep through all the mortal 
strife — 
Find naught but disillusion and a lie? 

It can not be! The Father doth not press 
The cup to parched lips to snatch it past — 

Beget immortal hopes and feign to bless, 
But scatter promise to the Void at last. 

Awakened in his likeness, satisfied. 
Dear sire, a burst of beatific light 

Transporteth thee, and stretching fair and wide. 
The coast-lines of that Land enthrall thy 
sight ! 

78 



How didst thou pass the Wardens of that shore? 

No gold hadst thou to proffer, no estate, 
No honors, offices, nor scholar's lore, 

When thou wast challenged at the Seraph's 
gate. 

Ah, vain such bribes! For there no purchase 
price 
Have parchment scrolls of schools or dig- 
nities; 
Nor bonds nor deeds are coin in Paradise, 
But better hoard hadst thou for Heaven's fees. 

Thou hadst the only money current there : 
A joy in God — delight in His dear Word — 

A trust serene — a habitude of prayer — 
A love of men — a passion for thy Lord. 



79 



liortta are S^lotrttuj 

Softer and lower the breezes blow faint, 

Out from the dawn trip the fleet-footed 
hours ; 
White as the snow or the soul of a saint 

Petals unfold in the bulbs of the flowers. 
Worlds are rejoicing, and nothing is sad ; 

Rosy the sun is and warmer each ray. 
Swifter the brook courses, rippling and glad ; 

Earth hears the whisper — **'Tis Easter to- 
day!" 

Blither the bird-songs in the blue sky. 

Nobler the anthem upbearing its strain ; 
Grander the organ -blasts swelling on high, 

Sweeter the notes of the angels' refrain. 
Happy the chorus the children upraise. 

Grateful the hymn on the lips of the old : 
''Jesus hath risen ! Jesus we praise !" — 

Never more wonderful story was told. 
80 



Splendid the morning when Christ burst the 
bars, 
Left the tomb empty that man might not 
fear; 
Told us of mansions beyond the bright stars, 
Banished our sadness and filled us with 
cheer. 
Peal out your rapture, O wild Easter bells, 

Mortals immortal forever shall reign ; 
Glorious the message your melody tells : 

" Christ is our life, and death is our gain !" 

Ring, belfries, ring ! 
Sing, Christians, sing ! 
Rise, spirit, rise ! 
Man never dies ! 



8i 



iit2|jal| 



[ Written for the dissolution of the General Conference, 
Methodist Episcopal Church, Cleveland, O., 1896.] 

As WHEN the hour deferred has come to part. 
Reiterating still his fond good-byes, 
With hand in hand, while looking in the 
eyes 

Of some old friend, and using loving art 

To stay the feet, at last about to start — 
One utters dear regrets, and like replies 
Are made in vows protesting deathless ties 

Shall ever bind them closely heart to heart, — 

So we, reluctant, to each honored guest 

Our farewells speak, and pray each may re- 
ceive 

That peace and comfort, joy and heavenly rest. 
Which Father, Son, and Spirit richly give. 

Though meeting here, too soon to go our ways, 

We '11 mingle yonder through eternal days. 



82 



St0l|0|j TOtUtam Xam^r Kxnht 

Th' Angelic Brother prays and paints, 
And Aureoles burnish every cell ; 
He labors long, he labors well, 

But can not picture half the saints. 

For not confined to Palestine, 

Or Early Church or Middle Age, 
Or priestly tome or Sacred Page, 

Are all the holy saints, I ween. 

We bid them sit around our board : 
Like twain at Emmaus long ago. 
Who sudden felt their hearts aglow, 

And kenned not 'twas their Risen Lord. 

The God who spake has not grown dumb : 
To them who listen in the din 
Of this World-Babel, clear within 

As to the prophets, Voices come. 

83 



And Winds of Inspiration fall 
That Moses and Isaiah knew; 
Not for a far-off favored few 

The powers that stirred in John and Paul. 

'Twas not for Israel alone : — 

To-day the Spirit entrance finds — 
In wills devout and open minds 

The Secret of the Lord makes known. 

But yesterday one trod our road : 
The Inner Light illumed his soul ! 
His love was strong, his faith was whole- 
He walked, like Enoch, with his God. 

The calm of heaven was in his eye, 
And joy and peace were in his breast ; 
He found, amid confusion, rest, 

In which all strife and clamor die. 

His psalm was keyed to one deep note : 
In him we saw the reverence dwell. 
The '* mind and soul according well, ' ' 

Of which the greatest Laureate wrote. 
84 



His teacher-phrase by time is blurred ; 
Sermon and text may be forgot, 
And that grave eloquence ; but not 

That lofty grace, that living word. 

He closed his eyes in childlike sleep, 
But on the morn he did not rise : 
His soul had sped to Paradise ; 

We weep, and yet 'tis strange we weep. 

Sweet spirit, bless us from thy height ! 
Impart the mood naught can disturb, 
And hold our selfishness in curb, 

And check our low ambition's might. 



8s 



Milt filoming (Slorg 

[ Written on the Advent of the Twentieth Century. ] 

What Vision breaks upon my spirit-sense ? — 
From Gates of Dawn a Youth, in warrior guise, 
Majestic rides. His armed and mighty train 
Through distant vistas winds. 

But yesterday 
Another splendid cavalcade swept by : 
What noble captains heading puissant ranks. 
What lists of battles blazoned on its flags, 
What music, peans, shoutings, made its route 
Outbrave a Roman triumph ! All the way 
The plaudits rose. Its red and desperate fields, 
Its conquests, deeds of chivalry for man 
In warfare of a hundred years, had earned 
That host its laurel -wreaths. 



When midnight struck 
The latest of its files had passed. Its fifes 
And drums and rhythmic tramp were lost to 

sight 
And hearing. Down the uncertain, dusky road 
86 



That borders Lethe's stream, the rearguard 

marched, 
And some day in Oblivion's silent streets 
Will stack its arms. 



Along the far line gaze 
Of ages stretching back and back till lost 
In mists and dim horizons vast ! The world, 
So old, yet ever young, is swinging through 
Its pl-imal orbit still. And who may count 
Its generations numberless and hoar ? 
O for the ken of sibyl or of seer, 
With penetration keen to pierce the glooms 
And look beyond the curtain-folds that hide 
The future ! 



Hope and confidence elate. 
The Youth, with mien magnificent, draws on. 
Appearing sudden out of Nothingness — 
The vague, inane, illimitable Void 
Which ever opens to our planets plunge — 
He marshals fresh battalions for the fray. 
No bristling ramparts, rifle-blast, or charge, 

87 



No stubborn stand, repulse, salutes, and cheers 
Are his as yet. His prowess waits for proof, 
His force for test. 



But neither fear nor doubt 
Have we who hail his coming. Well we know 
What valorous blood is coursing in his veins. 
What high emprise is stirring in his thought. 
That mind audacious, lofty soul inspired 
For arduous task, that countenance sublime, 
That brow undaunted, eye of fire and form 
Imperious, mark a conquerer by birth ! 
Era of marvel! Thine, O Hero, thine. 
The wondrous epoch, 'merging out of night 
To fill the score of centuries since He — 
The Son of God and Man, the Lord of Time, 
Eternity and Heaven — was manger-born. 
What heritage is thine : traditions great, 
Immortal acts, undying names, the fame 
Of sages, saints, and godlike men ! 

Lead on 
To victory and renown : Defeat and loss 
Are never possible to thee. Thy trust 
88 



Is in Omnipotence. What conflicts fierce, 
What combats with beleaguered Devil-Powers, 
What sieges of intrenched and ancient Wrongs 
Await thee! But thy faith is high, thy heart 
Is stout, thy sword is good and true. 

The Light 
Shall overcome the Darkness, and the sun 
Of a Millennial Day shall surely rise. 
Thy glory beckons. Yea, at last, at last, 
Humanity shall win — shall slay the Beast, 
Shall crown the Christ, and on the heights of 

Life 
Shall stand, exultant over every foe ! 



89 



Snlfxllmmt 

Bright were the tracks of Dian's feet 

Treading the lanes of the throbbing stars, 
Between the fences of nebulous bars, 

Where the angels stray and meet. 

She leaned from her window and softly said : — 
' ' How fair the night ! Sweet prophecy 
Of splendor and calm the morrow will see 

For on the morrow I wed ! ' ' 

Alas, for the hopes we never attain — 

For desires that breathe but once and die ! 
A cloud-form blotted the stars from the sky 

And the morning was full of rain. 



Not thus, not thus must we end our song, 
With sad suggestions of sorrow's face, 
Pale and dismal, taking her place 

Where the tripping moments throng ! 
90 



We must sing a song more brave and glad ! 
For what of the bride' s-day overcast, 
And what of the storm-wrath, thick and fast, 

And the heavens bland and sad? 

And what of the wind and thunder's strife? 
Their hearts were calm, their future bright. 
And a fuller love rose than she dreamed in 
the night, 

For Love is the Sun of life ! 



91 



' Tis not alone our Washington's great name 
That sounds through all the world our Nation's 

fame; 
Is he the founder? Lo, as savior now- 
Eternal laurels deck another's brow; 
Together joined they shine fore'er on high, 
Bright double star in Freedom's blazing sky ! 
A hundred years from now what thoughts shall 

rise 
Within their hearts who gaze in Lincoln's eyes — 
Those eyes so sunken, sad. O care-lined face ! 
O frame ungainly ! Yet what sweetness, grace — 
What length of limb and body, and the whole 
Transfigured by a towering, godlike soul ! 
O fallen form, o'erwhelmed in treason's flood, 
Thy mission signed and sealed with martyr's 

blood, 
What strength and courage thine, what faith 

and hope. 
What loyalty and courage, that could cope 
With dire disasters, unforeseen and new, 
In every task, in every peril true ! 
O break the silence of thy grave, and call 
To patriot service, though like thee we fall. 
92 



3(n Mtmstnmn 

SUzafattlj Smtar liaUipn. mat Sttig ir, laOfl 

I LISTENED, moved, to words of love and praise. 

The tender strain of father, teacher, friend; 

In one dear note of mem'ry did they blend 

O'er thy still form. Thy purity and grace 

Inspired their lips. They spoke of how thy 

days 

O'erflowed with service; told how thou 

didst bend 
Thy thought on mind and spirit — starward 
send 
Thy aspirations — Godward fix thy gaze! 

Sweet soul, I knew thee not ; I only know 
Such high-pitched lives as thine, so rich and 
bright. 

Make immortality more sure, and show 

Its large beginning here. They shed a light 

Upon the darkness, and we bolder grow 
To face the falling of the fateful night. 



93 



Brothers of our Epworth Band, 
Widely though you 're parted, 

Grasp each other by the hand, 
Pledge a love true-hearted ! 

Fling the Epworth Banner out, 

Tell our youth its story! 
Onward march with song and shout, 

Victory and glory! 

North and South and East and West 

By one faith united; 
In the Church we love the best, 

At her altars plighted! 

Let our testimonies blend, 

Jesus Christ confessing; 
Let our songs and prayers ascend, 

Belt the earth with blessing ! 
94 



Leagued against the powers of sin. 
Knowing no retreating; 

Christian soldiers, muster in, 
Satan's host defeating! 

Heavenly Father, hear us now, 

For our duty nerve us; 
Strengthen us to keep our vow, 

In Thy holy service. 



95 



A WAIL of anguish rolls across the tide 
That bathes an island under tropic skies, 
Where perfumed breezes waft bird-minstrel- 
sies 

While every sense is charmed; and far and 
wide 

Luxuriant verdures stretch on either side. 

Hunger and death are there; men's agonies 
Mingle with moans of babes and shriller 
cries 

Of women; home and food and work denied 

By tyrannies inhuman, they invoke 

Our pity, mercy — swift and large relief. 
O stricken Cuba, who prays not for thee. 

Groaning beneath an odious, crushing yoke, 

And battling long for freedom? Who is he 
That sympathizes not with thy great grief? 



96 



[For the Reunion of the Class of 1874, Wesleyan University.] 

What sweet recollections, as Memory calls, 
What visions of joy throng the old rooms and 

halls, 
The old row, the old benches, the campus and 

trees — 
Can the oxide of time dull the brightness of 

these ? 

How good does it feel, for old fellowship's sake, 
To give one another the pump-handle shake — 
To grip each dear comrade, our classmate of 

old, 
With a heart full of love which shall never 

grow cold. 

How many the years ? Twenty-five ? No ! 

you joke, 
Not a century's quarter since our circle we 

broke ! 
Who '11 believe it, or think it any more than a 

dream? 
We 're youngsters of twenty, whatever we seem ! 
7 97 



You think you 've got bald spots, or big-goggled 

eyes, 
You think you 've store-teeth, or * ^cricks" when 

you rise ; 
You think you've *' rheumatics" whenever you 

walk — 
Mother Eddy will prove it 's all fudge and all 

talk. 

The years, how they gallop — O my and O dear ! 
And we gallop with them — no fancy, I fear. 
The blazing noon sun bathes our foreheads with 

sweat. 
But noon is not sundown — the best of life 's 

yet! 

Another quarter, dear boys, and the race will 

be run, 
The battle be over — the day's work be done ; 
Ere Old Maid Lachesis shall snip our thread off. 
We '11 chirrup and hustle and give time the bluff. 

Ah, who of us knows the laughter and tears 
That make up the volume of twenty-five years; 

98 



The bitter-sweet music, whose measurements 

beat 
To labor and struggle, success and defeat? 

How far have we scattered through East and 

through West, 
But now we come back, like birds to the nest ; 
We love the old town, the river, the hills — 
The past with its pathos our every heart fills. 

A third of us parsons ? Yes, more too — ^and 

shame. 
This reprobate world goes on sinning the same ; 
At least thirty thousand **great sermons" we ' ve 

preached 
And still, sad to say, no millennium reached. 

But our half-dozen lawyers, let them make 

report. 
Our honorables, judges, and pleaders in court; 
By jury and sentence have they settled Old 

Nick, 
Have they brought in the kingdom, with pace 

double-quick ? 

99 



LofC. 



Our more than half-dozen professors, perhaps, 
By lectures and text-books have dealt Satan 

raps; 
Have so exorcised demons, with science and 

'ait," 

That of "original sin" they have not left a bit. 

Or ^tay, there are editors, publishers, — sure, 
With presses and types they have worked the 

world's cure — 
They have killed the old serpent, and brought 

Eden back — 
But they're doleful and murmur, *'Alas and 

alack!" 

We turn, then, to ask of those out in the strife 
Of the business racket and turmoil of life : 
'^A personal Devil? — believe it, do you?" 
*'Ah, he's too plainly seen — we must say 
we do. ' ' 

Our class was a wonder, but, brothers, our 

fears — 
In spite of the labors of twenty-five years, 

lOO 



aire hinting the cosmos is not quite redeemed — 
The contract was harder, perhaps, than it 
seemed. 

But what of* it all, when the worst has been 

said — 
There's time enough yet, ere we're all of us 

dead; 
If years twenty-five in addition must spin, 
We'll carry brave hearts, and we'll never 

give in ! 

Our century 's dying — the dirges we hear — 
But, welcome the new one with spirits of cheer ; 
The nineteenth a marvel — but, greatest of time, 
Be the twentieth, pray we, in conquests sublime. 

With all the great-hearted, the valiant and true, 
Who follow God's banners to dare and to do, 
With courage and faith let us keep in the fray, 
And battle with darkness till Christ wins the 
day! 



lOI 



Mourn, O Land, a hero dead, 
Winner of deserved renown — 

He, when treason reared its head, 
Helped to strike the monster down ! 

Strong and valiant in the fight, 
Calm and unafraid was he — 

Storming Vicksburg's rugged height. 
Marching onward to the sea ! 

Shiloh, Corinth, Donelson, 

Kenesaw and Leggett's Hill — 

There he grandly led and won — 
These his laurels fadeless still. 

Loving most the peaceful arts, 
Joying not in blood and strife, 

Only duty draws such hearts, 
Battling for the nation's life. 

Modest, simple, gentle, pure. 
Lusting not for spoils of place, 

Christian virtues that endure 

Sought he through a Savior's grace. 



Come, my City, come apart! — 
Bow in grief with all the land ; 

Thee he loved with all his heart, 
Largest things for thee he planned. 

Earth to earth and dust to dust ! 

Keep his grave with garlands bright ; 
Love and praises ever must 

Be his meed who strove for right. 



103 



A g'cng at Parting 

[ At the Conclusion of a Pastorate. ] 

The hour has come when we must part ; 
Spirit of Jesus, fill each heart, 
Grant those that go and those that stay 
Thy grace and strength and peace alway. 

Receive our praise for love so fond, 
Uniting souls in firmest bond, 
Pastor and flock, together led. 
By one Good Shepherd, comforted. 

On eager wing the months have flown, 
Sunshine and shadow have we known, 
Changes have fallen to our lot; 
But Thou, dear Savior, changest not. 

While toiling in Thy vineyard. Lord, 
Our labor is its own reward. 
But vain our work, and sad our need 
Till thou dost sanctify each deed. 
104 



Upon this Church let power rest, 
As in the past may it be blest ! 
To-day, and in the years to come, 
Find here, like* Bethany, Thy home. 

We meet, we love, then say good-bye, 
We mingle prayers with many a sigh, 
We take our paths, but hope to be 
Rejoined throughout eternity ! 



105 



Dejected once, I called this truth: 
My clay is brother to the ground; 
And this cheap dust that folds me round 

Extends my energies no ruth. 



I can not read the meaning blind — 
The hieroglyphics of my soul, 
That palimpsestic parchment -roll, 

With symbols quaint and blurred o'ersigned. 

The part of me that 's baser born. 

Forever earthward gravitates ; 

Dozes and yawns in sleepy states. 
Nor ever greets the bursting morn. 



In brighter mood I said: ''God 's wise. 
And we are fools that grope and feel. 
Midst the delusive for the real. 

With bandages upon our eyes. 
lo6 



Trust Him who whirls the Cosmic car 
Adown the fleecy tracks of space, 
As still as falls the dust apace, 

That holds the light, of fixed star ! 

While round them rains a radiant sheen, 
See minist'ring angels, bending low 
To catch the sound of human woe, 

From balustrades of glory lean ! ' ' 



My hopes come forth like stars that ope 
And blossom, one by one, at even ; 
Like May-fields look the meads of heaven- 

As fresh and sweet appears my hope ! 



107 



3l0 n iEmnJi 

I 'll jog my hizzie muse to gie 

Some silly sang an' cantie, 
Some jinglin' aff-hand melody 

Sin' ye are ane-an' -twenty. 
Aiblins ye 've seen the pretty things 

Each rantin' bardie says o't — 
O' tentless days o' youth he sings, 

Na wearies o' the praise o't. 

How a' the plans, sae braw an' fair. 

Trumped up in Eden's bowers. 
An' bonnie castles i' the air. 

Evoked by wizard powers, 
An' every dulcet, dainty dream 

O' gowd an' siller plenty. 
An' every gran' Utopian scheme 

Refer to ane-an' -twenty. 

Ah, who '11 deny that such a time 

Is fitted for reflection ; 
For high resolves an' hopes sublime.— 

Just on the eve o' action? 
1 08 



An' you *re finding in your ain guid sense 
The sermons o' the preachers — 

Your conscience, free frae a' pretense, 
Will be your best o' teachers ! 

An' sae you 've ta'en the lawyer's trade 

Wi' all its big temptations; 
Ah weell, allowance maun be made — 

We 're Adam's bluid-relations ! 
Ane maun incline a wee to wrang 

Whyles circuit-court 's in session, 
But sklent as little as ye can 

For ane o' your profession. 

wad the Gowden Rule were law, 
Wad strife and slanders perish, 

Did we Mankin' our Neebor ca', 
An' peace the warld roun' cherish ! 

1 trust the thousand years are near, 

When Nickie '11 lie in prison, 
When Truth an' Justice shall appear, 
An' Righteousness be risen ! 
109 



But that '11 be a sair, sair day 

For a' your gentry's pockets, 
Wi' a' your practice died away, 

An* nae case on the dockets ! 
An' sae I hope 't will be delayed 

For a score o' years or over, 
Till you 've a cozy fortune made, 

An' settled down i' clover. 

Now fare ye weel, dear Joe, my boy. 

An' blessings aye attend ye; 
I wish ye luck, an' muckle joy 

May heaven alway send ye ! 
An' gin ye '11 tak' a Men's advice- 

An* lang experience has he — 
Afore ye marry ye '11 think twice. 

An' aye beware a lassie i 



no 



Little children, long ago. 
Loving Him who loved them so, 
Timid — yet without alarm — 
Fondly leaned within His arm ; 
Cried, tl^ough sternly bid to cease, 
** Hail Hosanna ! Prince of Peace !" 

Many little eyes were red 

When they learned that He was dead ; 

Mothers told them how He died, 

And together then they cried ; 

Sad were little hearts that day 

When their Friend was laid away. 

But how glad they must have been 
When they saw His face again ! 
When they heard disciples tell 
How He rose who loved them well ; 
When upon their heads were laid 
Hands with prints the nails had made. 
Ill 



Jesus lives and reigns above, 
He can all my guilt remove ; 
He, the children's Christ to be. 
Died and rose again for me ; 
Me a place He will prepare 
With Him in those mansions fair I 



112 



©0 A. IC. M. 

•Hittf tJt\t (^xit of a Sook 

No SIGHT hath Love, they say; nor speech 

1 wot 
For silence is his mother-tongue ; but, mute, 
Is yet more eloquent than ever was 
Athenian demagogue that soothed or stirred 
To mutiny the fickle, plastic crowd. 

Feigned love is voluble, and babbles on 

In good, mouth-filling words and honeyed 

phrase, 
All lacquered o'er with sentiment ; declaims 
In school -boy fustian — swears by sun and stars 
And all the catalogue of gods. 

Lovg 
Scorns the jargon of unmeaning words 
That vainly struggle hard to body forth 
The God-breathed thought and feeling ; dumb 

— ^and yet 
He has a voice whose organs are the smile, 
8 113 



The sidelong glance, the slanting lash, the 

cheek — 
Where colors play like Northern lights athwart 
The sky — and sometimes tokens; thus this 

book 
A word or two can whisper. Bend your ear ! 
The book is speaking — speaks to you for me, 
And says — O ! can you tell me what it says? 



114 



Our founders' God — our refuge still — 
Thy people, hearing Thy stern voice. 

Majestic rose to do Thy will. 

With war and death their only choice; 

Their hearts on fire, their wrath divine, 

Have borne, All-merciful, Thy sign! 

From earth went up a sigh and groan, 
Thy vengeance spoke in sword and flame; 

Our ships and armies were Thine own. 
Sent forth by Thee in pity's name; 

For right victorious over wrong, 

God of the Just, we raise our song! 

For patriot zeal that thrilled our coasts, 
Upleaping, free from mammon's rot; 

For swift crusade, devoted hosts — 
All claims but duty's clean forgot — 

For passion throbbing through all ranks, 

Thou God of Battles, we give thanks! 
115 



For bravery that knows no caste — 
Class, learning, color, lost in worth — 

For sections bound as one at last. 

No West nor East, no South nor North ; 

For love ties strengthened over sea, 

Father of all, we bend the knee! 

For triumph in man's holy cause. 
For sweet humaneness interblent; 

For ushering nobler life and laws 
In tropic isle and Orient; 

For Christ's great kingdom's furthered ends, 

God of all lands, our psalm ascends! 

For all this vast Republic's might, 
For strength our freedom to protect. 

For blessing us with truth and light. 
For peace and all the world's respect, 

For such a flag, such men, such days, 

God of the nation. Thee we praise ! 



ii6 



The presage of a song! 
Man's glorious triumph it will tell, 
His conquest o'er the hosts of hell; 
Vanquished and crushed all wrong and sin, 
Millennial splendors ushered in! — 

But who shall sing it? 

I can not sing that song! 
Not mine the imaginative power, 
The inspiration high, the dower 
Of fancy, like a strong- winged bird; 
Not mine the mastery of word — 

I can not sing it! 

Some one shall sing that song! 
Some high-born soul, some bard sublime; 
Some noblest poet of all time, 
His vision sweeping earth and sky, 
Shall celebrate that victory — 

Aye, he shall sing it! 

IT7 



E'en now that music thrills! 
Though but in dreams its strains I hear, 
Its rising chords of ringing cheer, 
All round me from the future floats 
That anthem's hallelujah notes — 

Mankind shall sing it! 



it8 



DEC 30 1904 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 

111 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 1 6066 
(724)779-2111 



